Hesston Speedway summary 2002-09-21

If it ran, it raced Saturday night at the Hesston Speedway for the "Run What You Brung" Race Night. This allowed all drivers to run whatever they wanted in the four main divisions at the speedway. It also allowed the drivers to run with clear plexiglas billboards on the side of their cars to thank sponsors and such. It was the next to last race of the season for the speedway and the fans in attendance was treated to great racing this weekend.

In the Shellbrooke Stables Limited Late Model Division, Tim Henney raced out to his feature win of the season as he went from start to finish for the win.Henney felt some pressure from Tom Erickson, who was driving the #68 car, usually driven by Herb Taneyhill.

Mike Altobelli and Tim Smith battled hard for the third spot, that was until at approximately lap 10, Altobelli and Smith got together to bring out the caution. Both drivers viewed the race from the inside pit area, since both sustained damage that would not permit them to contine in the race.

"This was a good win," Henney said. "I could feel Tom closing in but I wasn't real sure how close he was."

Rance Garlock, who returned to the speedway after approximately a month layoff finished third, Devin Freise, who made his first appearance at the speedway was fourth and Bill Booher finished fifth.

In the Chet Grove's Cars Unlimited V-8 Hobby Stock Feature, Keith Russell and and Terry Norris, battled for most the 12-lap event, but Russell was able to take get in front of Norris for his eighth Hesston win of the season.

After Norris drifted back to third, JR Guyer continued to put heavy pressure on Russell, but ran out of laps before he was able to overtake Russell.

Guyer and Norris finished second and third, respectively, with Raymond Fisher fourth and Rick Hamer in fifth. In the Grubb Lumber V-8 Street Stock, Bill Henney returned to the winner's circle for the second time in the evening by winning the 15-lap event.

At the beginning of the race, it looked as if a good hard race was gearing up between Jake Griffith in the #50 car and Henney in the #S1 car. However, Griffith led for only four laps of the race before experiencing car trouble that put him out the race, allowing Henney to lap just about the entire field for the win.

Just as Henney was crossing the finish line, the #75 car driven by Ashley Barrett and the #34 car Russ Hamer collided allowing Bill Heffner to finish second, Steve Lowery was third, fourth was Tim Brindle, last week's feature winner and the #01 of Jim Bookwalter was fifth. It should be noted that Russ Hamer was not disqualified after the post-race inspection last week. Hamer was awarded the points for finishing in the race. (I apologize for reporting the incident in last week's report).

In the final race of the night, Mike Gru8bb in the #31G car captured his first ever Hesston win in the Goshorn's Racing Supply Pure Stock Division.

Grubb, was able to hold off a persistent Larry Duvall in the #11 car. Duvall finished second in the event. Duvall looked as if he was going to go from start to finish for the win, but Grubb was able to overtake Duvall on just the second lap and held off Duvall.

Division points champion Raymond Moore was third, Kyle Wiser was fourth and Julie Hampton was fifth for her first top-five finish of the season. Next week, will bring the curtain down of the 2002 season at Hesston Speedway. There will be a 25-lap feature race in the Limited Late/Late Model Division with a purse of $1,200 to win and $50 to take the green in the feature event. The Limited Late Models must have an 8" inch spoiler and the Late Models a 12" spoiler.

There will be a 25-Lap PA 305 Sprints Race with a $500 cash prize. A $300 15-Lap A-Main Feature Prize in the V-8 Hobby Stock Division and a $100 cash prize for the 10-Lap B-Main Feature. If time permittin there will be a six-lap Hobby Stock Powder Puff Race and an eight-lap Hobby Stock Mechanics Race.

Speedway promoters Jay "Butch" and Linda Grubb are proud to annouce that "Marie" a Reba McEntire Impersonator will be performing in the grandstand area from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Performing with Marie will be nine-year-old Jordan Irene.

Tickets are now on sale for the annual Hesston Speedway Banquet to be held Saturday, January, 18, 2003 at the Casino at Lakemont Park. Tickets are $25.

-hs-